Mary, mother of Christ

Today I have been in a very somber mood. I think Christmas time does that to most everyone. I was looking at my new nativity today and pondering about the Savior. Our set has Mary holding Jesus bundled up close to her chest and Joseph is stroking his head. I love that he is not in a manger. That his mommy is holding him and giving him the deepest love.

I often wonder what it would be like to be a mother, let alone the Savior's mother. I know how much a mother loves her child. I know there are too many mothers, who have their children brought into the world, with the knowledge that their precious child's existence will be short. I know Mary felt the intensity of this pain as all mothers do.

What must it have been like for Mary that night? I can only imagine the agony as she held her tender creation close, knowing that one day she would have to give him up. One day the world would need him even more than she loved him.

I imagine her being terrified.

I imagine her giggling when he first opens his eyes.

I imagine her squeezing him close to her in those first moments of his life.

I know that Heavenly Father was only able to send his son because she would be there to protect him. She would teach him and love him.

I imagine her teaching him to walk. To talk. To read.

I imagine her, in the quiet moments, praying to her father. I imagine her begging to be strong enough, to be loving enough, to be the best she could be, as every mother does.

I imagine her worrying about him.

I imagine her wondering what it was like to be him. Maybe a little frustrated that she couldn't always understand him.

I imagine him teaching her with more love than anyone else he taught.

I imagine that the love he learned, he learned from her.

I imagine him hugging her, thanking her, protecting her.

I imagine him in the garden. Suffering for her. Loving her more than anyone.

I imagine him thinking of her in his last moments on the cross.

I can only imagine the agony she felt as she watched him die. As she knelt at the cross beneath her dying baby boy. What must that have been like? My eyes fill with tears at the thought.

I imagine her life without him. Her heart broken.

I wonder if she understood what he really had done. If she could feel the magnitude of the blessing he bestowed on mankind. I think she did.

I imagine her coming to heaven, with him waiting there.

I imagine their embrace. The warmest I can think of.

I imagine her consoling him when we make mistakes.

I know they're together.

Because she is His mother.

Families are Forever
"We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ...that our children may know to what source the may look for a remission of their sins." 2 Nephi 25:26